Dallas Police Department officials told the Public Safety Committee on Jan. 14 that violent crime in Dallas declined 8.2% in 2024 compared with the prior year, with homicides down about 26%.

Interim Chief Michael Igoe and Major Nathan Swires credited the department’s violent‑crime division and a mixture of grid operations, focused‑deterrence work and targeted enforcement. “We are down 8.2% in violent crime for the year,” Major Swires said, citing final 2024 numbers.

Key figures and trends: The department reported a 7.69% drop in aggravated assaults and a 26% decline in homicides — a reduction the presentation quantified as about 65 fewer homicide victims in 2024. Business robberies were up for the year (the briefing listed an increase of 18 incidents compared with 2023), and family‑violence aggravated assaults were slightly higher, driven by increases in family‑related aggravated assaults.

Focused deterrence and outreach: The violent‑crime division said it has 54 clients on its focused‑deterrence caseload and is using neighborhood outreach as a primary notification method. The department said outreach sessions are scheduled for Jan. 25, Feb. 22 and March 22; it described two success stories in which wraparound services (employment, housing, mental‑health referrals) helped people stabilize and exit risky circumstances.

Investigations and seizures: Major Swires highlighted a multi‑site investigation that began with a traffic stop in September 2024 and culminated in warrants executed Dec. 18–19. The seizures included approximately 5.9 pounds of marijuana, multiple THC products, nine guns and about $164,000 in cash, the presentation said.

Business outreach: The department said a business robbery symposium is planned for February to share crime‑prevention tips and to connect retail property managers with existing resources such as the city’s camera networks and licenced plate reader partners. Officials said community engagement units already follow up with affected businesses to offer site‑specific recommendations.

Committee questions and follow‑up: Council members pressed the department for data on whether robberies are driven by local repeat offenders or organized groups and asked for more follow‑up on whether property managers and small operators can access collective procurement options for visible deterrent cameras. Officials said they are pursuing those vendor outreach options and will include them in the symposium.

Ending: Committee members applauded year‑end reductions but urged continued focus on business robberies and family violence; deputies said the violence‑reduction strategy will continue and that the coming symposium will provide more tools for retailers and property managers.